Hanami's movements paused.
Its massive body lowered slightly, shifting into a more defensive stance. The surrounding Cursed Spirits instinctively reined in their attacks as well, no longer charging forward with the same reckless aggression.
The atmosphere across the battlefield subtly changed.
The invaders continued attacking, yet it felt as though an invisible boundary now existed. Every lethal strike aimed at the students would inexplicably disappear the moment it crossed a certain threshold.
The pressure on the students dropped dramatically.
They were still fighting, still exhausted, but their lives were no longer hanging by a thread. With the immediate danger reduced, they could focus on the enemies before them, turning the battlefield into a brutal but highly effective training ground.
Sol stood atop the high ground, mountain winds stirring his clothes.
The chaos below seemed separated from him by an invisible wall.
Hanami's solitary eye remained locked onto him. The twisted vines writhing around its body swayed uncertainly, no longer striking with confidence.
The other Cursed Spirits had also noticed the shift.
Their attacks slowed.
Confused glances passed between them.
"What's going on?" one scar-faced Cursed Spirit muttered, his grip tightening around his Cursed Tool. "That kid is weird..."
"Stay focused!" another Cursed Spirit in monk-like robes barked.
Despite the warning, sweat trickled down his forehead.
Then one of the Cursed Spirits secretly formed a hand sign.
Shadows gathered beneath Nobara, who appeared among the most injured students on the field.
The technique had only just begun to take shape.
Suddenly, both the shadow technique and its caster froze.
The Cursed Spirit collapsed silently onto the ground, as though erased by an invisible hand.
This time, everyone saw it.
It was not a coincidence.
"ROAR!"
Hanami released a deep, inhuman growl.
For the first time, its enormous body clearly adopted a defensive posture.
The remaining Cursed Spirits immediately retreated, gathering together in visible fear. None of them dared advance any farther.
In the center of the battlefield, the students finally had a chance to breathe.
"Haah... haah..."
Itadori bent over with his hands on his knees, sweat dripping from his face.
He stared at the retreating enemies in confusion.
"What's wrong with them?"
Todo shook blood from his fist and looked toward Sol atop the high ground.
A fierce grin spread across his face.
"It seems our referee got a little serious, Brother!"
Megumi wiped blood from the corner of his mouth while catching his breath.
Following Todo's gaze, he saw Sol standing quietly above the battlefield.
Megumi said nothing, but some of the tension in his shoulders eased.
Maki adjusted her damaged glasses and spat blood onto the ground.
"That guy really isn't an ordinary first-year."
Leaning against a broken tree, Nobara examined the scrapes on her arm.
At Maki's words, she also glanced toward Sol, her expression complicated.
A brief stalemate settled over the battlefield.
Hanami appeared to be struggling against something invisible.
Cursed Energy surged violently around its body. The resentment of the forest churned within it, yet a deeper instinct screamed for caution.
Its gaze remained fixed on Sol.
Anger.
Confusion.
And beneath it all, a trace of fear.
Sol finally shifted his attention fully onto Hanami.
He neither spoke nor moved.
He simply looked at it.
Hanami's enormous frame suddenly trembled.
It was as though an invisible mountain had crashed onto its shoulders.
The vines wrapped around its body instantly withered and shrank.
A pained groan escaped its throat as it stumbled backward.
Cracks spread through the ground beneath its feet.
The surrounding Cursed Spirits stared in horror.
Some looked ready to flee immediately.
Then Sol looked away.
The crushing pressure blanketing the battlefield vanished like a receding tide.
It was as if he had merely cast a casual glance.
He had no intention of personally entering the fight.
But the warning had been delivered.
Clearly.
Unequivocally.
Hanami sucked in a sharp breath.
The hostility in its eye had been replaced by unmistakable fear.
Without another moment of hesitation, it released a piercing cry and launched itself away from the battlefield.
Its massive body disappeared into the distance.
With their leader retreating, the remaining Cursed Spirits abandoned all thoughts of fighting.
They scattered in every direction, fleeing through the curtain and vanishing into the forest.
They had arrived suddenly.
They left in far worse condition.
Only the devastated battlefield and the students of both schools remained behind.
Silence settled over the forest.
Heavy breathing and the mournful sound of wind through broken trees were the only noises left.
"...Is it over?" Momo Nishimiya asked weakly as she slid from her broom and collapsed onto the ground.
Kamo Noritoshi's face was pale.
His gaze swept across the battlefield before finally stopping on Sol.
"Count everyone. Treat the injured."
The Tokyo Jujutsu High students quickly regrouped.
"Everyone okay?" Megumi asked.
"I'm fine."
"Just a few scratches."
"Nothing serious."
Itadori walked over to Todo.
His expression was slightly awkward, but he still extended a fist.
"Thanks."
Todo blinked.
Then he burst into loud laughter and bumped fists with him.
"Yo, Brother! Looks like we really do get along!"
His gaze drifted back toward Sol.
"But it seems Tokyo Jujutsu High has been hiding a true monster."
Itadori scratched his head and smiled.
"Sol's always been amazing."
At that moment, the curtain surrounding the area slowly dissolved.
Gojo Satoru appeared almost instantly.
"Yo! Everybody still alive?"
His voice was lighthearted, but his gaze swept across the battlefield beneath his blindfold.
After confirming that none of the students had suffered fatal injuries, his attention settled on Sol, who was calmly walking down from the high ground.
"Sol-kun~"
Gojo appeared beside him in an instant and casually draped an arm over his shoulder.
Leaning closer, he lowered his voice dramatically.
"That thing you did just now was seriously cool. Even I felt something unusual."
Sol removed Gojo's arm without expression.
"They were being too noisy."
Gojo grinned.
"Really? I thought the atmosphere was great."
Then his tone turned playful.
"But next time, teach your teacher too, okay? That trick for making people quiet is pretty cool."
Sol ignored him and continued walking toward the others.
Gojo watched him go, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
"Sol!"
Itadori immediately ran over.
"Thanks for earlier!"
Nobara followed shortly after.
Looking slightly uncomfortable, she rubbed the back of her neck before speaking.
"Yeah... thanks."